Islam Times - US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has defended President Donald Trump's first speech to the UN General Assembly, where he called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "Rocket Man."

"This is a way of getting people to talk about [North Korean leader Kim Jong-un], but every other international community now is referring to him as Rocket Man," Haley told ABC on Wednesday.​ ​

Haley further justified Trump’s naming by adding that she "had a meeting with the president of Uganda the day before and he was referring to Kim as 'Rocket Man' before the president even gave the speech."

The former South Carolina governor claimed the US has "exhausted every diplomatic means" in trying to deal with North Korea, including dialogue and sanctions.

"And we are going to continue to do that. While he is being irresponsible, we're going to be responsible," Haley said. "The international community actually very much appreciated the blunt, honest approach that the president took on North Korea."

Trump first called Kim “Rocket Man” on Sunday in a tweet on about a conversation he had with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The North and the US, a close Seoul ally, have in recent weeks exchanged a barrage of military threats, giving rise to international concerns over a possible outbreak of war in the region.